Purple Pincushion
Common name
Purple Pincushion
Scientific Name
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Type of plant
Daisies & Thistles (Family Asteraceae)
About this weed
Purple Pincushions are fragrant annual or perennial weeds to about 1 metre. It was originally native to the Mediterranean Region and introduced as a garden plant.
Description
They are easily identified by their unusual round pincushions flower heads. Their leaves are in opposite pairs, the basal leaves are lobed, and the upper leaves much dissected. In spring and summer white to pink to red-purple florets are produced. After flowering it has a bristly, fruiting head.
Impact on Bushland
It has become a particular problem in lime rich coastal soils.
Location
Usually found on sandy, disturbed soils, often over limestone around the Perth region.
Priority for removal
Unknown:
Management (hand)
Not available.
Management (herbicide)
Not available.
Flowering month/s
January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December
Flower colour/s
Red, Pink, Purple, White
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7368
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
